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George Sipple Detroit Free Press Published 4:51 p.m. UTC May 30, 2018 The owners of Detroit City FC agreed a while ago not to worry about things outside their control. So Major League Soccer’s announcement Tuesday that they have awarded Cincinnati an expansion club, instead of Detroit or Sacramento, has no direct bearing on DCFC. The announcement was met with more of a shoulder shrug than anything else for DCFC co-owner Sean Mann. It’s unclear whether the Detroit MLS group of Dan Gilbert, Tom Gores and the Ford family will continue to pursue future MLS expansion. “Going back two-plus years now when Gores and Gilbert’s camp announced they were pursuing MLS, it certainly had an impact on us, in terms of our relationship with sponsors or even the attention it put on soccer,” Mann said. “We realized a while back that we control what we control. That’s certainly not a process that we have any bearing on. We’ve … [Read more...] about Detroit City FC not surprised, concerned about MLS expansion reveal

Vince Ellis Detroit Free Press Published 2:01 p.m. UTC May 30, 2018 CINCINNATI — Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber didn’t mince words Tuesday afternoon. Speaking to reporters shortly after a raucous pep rally to announce Cincinnati’s entrance into MLS, Garber said the Detroit bid held “front runner” status at one point. But when the Dan Gilbert-Tom Gores-backed ownership group abandoned plans to build a soccer-specific open-air stadium, and instead announced in November that it would retrofit Ford Field for soccer usage to save costs, it hurt the effort to put a MLS franchise in downtown Detroit in time for the 2020 season. Garber was clear that Detroit remains in the mix when the league awards two additional franchises to start play in 2022 — if concerns over the venue are addressed. “It set them back,” Garber said at Rhinegeist Brewery, a downtown joint located a short distance from where FC Cincinnati … [Read more...] about Don Garber: Detroit’s 2020 MLS bid hindered by choosing Ford Field

Cincinnati, Ohio has been awarded a Major League Soccer expansion team to begin play in the 2019 season. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement Tuesday, citing record-breaking soccer attendance and commitment to build a new soccer stadium. "Major League Soccer is proud to introduce Cincinnati as our 26th team," said Garber. "The rise of Cincinnati as a passionate soccer market in recent years, coinciding with the city's growing economy and reputation as a top destination for young professionals makes it an ideal city for our growing league. We congratulate Carl Lindner and his partners, and also the soccer fans of Cincinnati, who have passionately supported FC Cincinnati in the USL." The league hasn't decided which conference FC Cincinnati will join next year. With the addition of Cincinnati, the MLS will expand to 26 teams, two shy of its ultimate goal. The soccer league began with 10 teams in 1996. Founded in 2016, FC Cincinnati is currently a member of the … [Read more...] about Cincinnati awarded MLS expansion team for 2019 season

Ted Kulfan The Detroit News Published 10:47 p.m. UTC May 29, 2018 Detroit — Major League Soccer isn’t coming to Detroit. The league Tuesday awarded an expansion franchise to Cincinnati, ending this round of MLS expansion. Nashville was awarded the other expansion slot in December, leaving Detroit and Sacramento — the other two finalists among 12 cities that submitted formal bids in January 2017 — without teams. The four available expansion slots are part of the MLS’ expansion to 28 teams. The MLS has said it would like to award two more franchises this year but it’s unclear as to when that would be. FC Cincinnati will begin play in the 2019 MLS season. “You should be extremely proud of your meteoric rise,” commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday during the introductory press conference at a refurbished brewery close to the new stadium. “To your incredible fans, you have shocked the world and showed us that if you … [Read more...] about Cincinnati awarded MLS franchise over Detroit

Patrick Brennan [email protected] Published 9:58 p.m. UTC May 24, 2018 Major League Soccer is coming to Cincinnati next week, and league officials are likely bringing with them an invitation for Futbol Club Cincinnati to join their ranks. Sources confirmed to The Enquirer that a major club announcement is coming Tuesday and MLS commissioner Don Garber will be in attendance. FC Cincinnati confirmed further details of the event in a Thursday afternoon press release. This would be the second of two planned expansion teams for the MLS for the 2020 season. Detroit and Sacramento were the other finalists. The Detroit bid, headed by Quicken Loans and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, and the Ford family, which owns the Detroit Lions, may not have been for naught. The Pistons, citing no official MLS announcement, declined comment on Thursday. The MLS plans to add two more teams for the 2022 season. The Fords joined the effort in … [Read more...] about MLS likely to go with Cincinnati, not Detroit, for 2020 expansion